top of page
Teaching Music The Way People Actually Learn
I wasn’t born a musical prodigy. I struggled with pitch, rhythm, coordination, and confidence. I practiced hard, cared deeply, and still often felt behind. But I stayed with it. Over time, the work began to compound.
Those early struggles shaped how I teach.
I became deeply interested in how learning actually happens and realized that many musicians aren’t lacking talent or discipline. They’re working with information that doesn’t match how they process it. Music education often rewards those who intuitively “get it” and leaves others thinking something is wrong with them.
That’s what I’ve spent my career pushing against.
People learn in different ways. Some need to see it, some need to hear it, some need to feel it. Most need a combination. My work focuses on designing methods that respect those differences and turn abstract ideas into something clear and usable. Across universities, professional programs, and community work, I noticed the same pattern: the most meaningful learning often happened outside of formal settings. In conversations that were honest, practical, and grounded in real experience.
Office Hours was created to make that kind of learning accessible.
This platform is built around a simple idea: clarity changes everything. When you understand why something works, not just what to practice, your confidence grows, your practice becomes more effective, and your relationship to the music becomes more sustainable.You’ll find structured learning paths, clear explanations, and practical tools designed to support real progress over time. Everything is self-paced and built to meet you where you are.
I also use technology intentionally to reduce friction, so you can focus more on making music and less on figuring out how to get there. Alongside teaching, I’m an active performer, composer, and arranger, with work on multiple GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning projects. That experience informs everything here, not as a credential, but as a way to keep the work grounded and real.
Office Hours isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about building understanding that lasts.
If you’ve ever felt like you cared deeply about music but weren’t given the tools to make sense of it, you’re not alone. This platform exists to provide clear explanations, usable frameworks, and a more grounded way of learning music.
Kris Johnson works with educators nationwide as a clinician and guest artist
"Kris is an incredibly organized and empathetic individual who brings the best of his personality to his teaching. His courses are efficient and full of good information, as well as being a great deal for what you get. I highly recommend Office Hours!"
Alicia
bottom of page